Bogalusa School Board Office-Media Center
Bogalusa, Louisiana
Regular Board Meeting
Monday, July 25, 2022
6:35 p.m.
The Bogalusa School Board met in a Regular Board Meeting at the Bogalusa City School Board Office Media Center, located at 1705 Sullivan Drive, Bogalusa, Louisiana, on Monday, July 25, 2022. The purpose of the meeting is to address information received from Department Supervisors, on Monday, July 25, 2022, during the Committee Meeting, regarding updates and approval requests.
Call to Order – President Paul Kates
Pledge of Allegiance – Superintendent Lisa Tanner
Prayer – Vice President Curtis Creel
Roll Call: X President Kates, X Vice President Creel, X Mrs. Breaux, X Mrs. Duke, X Mr. Kemp, A Mr. Killingsworth, X Dr. Williams
1.) Approval of Minutes of Regular Board Meeting June 27, 2022. It was motioned by Mr. Creel. A second was made by Mrs. Duke. The motion passed with unanimous approval.
2.) Board Office Committee Report – N/A
3.) Public Session –
a. Joseph D. Smith, 15054 Hwy. 1075, Bogalusa, LA. Tonight main points he wanted to go over. (1) Turnover at Schools vs. Turnover at Central Office (2) Why a millage to retain teachers and (3) Nepotism in the system. He went around the room asking employees what their salaries are and why is there no turnover in central office. He continued with misuse of the Millage and wants it taken away from Central Office and give to only Teachers. This is the opportunity to get it right, with this board.
b. Larry Brown 923, N. Roosevelt Street, Bogalusa, LA. Mr. Brown is the Director of Poplas Youth Program. If we save one student, we have done our job. Mr. Brown believes we as a system and community need to reach out with care, respect and love to the children. We need to talk to them and treat each individually and mentor them.
c. Gerald Jackson, 701 Columbia St., Bogalusa, LA. As far as the track he would like to make sure everyone in the community has the opportunity to use the Bogalusa City Schools facilities. We need to keep these kids active to keep them out of trouble. We need to find ways to protect the track so the facilities can be used for little league football this season. Board let him know he is welcome to be a part of the plan to continue to allow the public to use the facilities.
d. Debbie McCloud, 414 Mississippi Avenue, Bogalusa, LA. We do not need to price people out of using our facilities. Very important to the community that the system keep costs down so they can afford to use it. It is critical that the community understand that the schools are part of the community. There needs to be activities and meetings going on at the schools. Community involvement.
e. Rhonda Arinde, 826 East 7th Street, Bogalusa, LA. All organizations need to pull together and show that we all care about the children, things are beginning to get better, but we still have work to do. We need to reach out to the community and invite them to do things at the schools. We all need to find a way to be in agreement about the children. We need to crawl before we walk. Everyone needs to be held accountable and follow the policies and procedures. We need to all work together.
4.) New Business -
a. Approval of 2022 -2023 Code of Conduct. It was motioned by Dr. Williams. A second was made by Mrs. Duke. Roniqua Watkins expressed her opinion on the language about hair. The language is not specific to express their ethnicity. A. Lathan expressed her opinion about Crocks at BHS. D. Smith said there are too many rules that teachers cannot enforce vs. the Code of Conduct that cannot be enforced. The motion passed with unanimous approval.
b. Approval of Special Education Contracted Services for Occupational Therapy, School Psychologist, Physical Therapy, Medicaid Billing Contractor. It was motioned by Mr. Kemp. A second was made by Mrs. Breaux. The motion passed with unanimous approval. Roniqua Watkins procedurally corrected President Kates on his wording on handling of the meeting.
c. Approval of June 30, 2022 Revised Budgets and Financial Statements, General Fund, Food Service, Special Revenue and School Activities. It was motioned by Mr. Creel. A second was made by Dr. Williams. The motion passed with unanimous approval.
d. Approval of Salary Schedules for 2022 -2023 school year. It was motioned by Mrs. Duke. A second was made by Mr. Kemp. Darryl Smith once again wanted to discuss the millage and teachers pay. He does not think we are procedurally running this meeting correctly. Mr. Smith does not understand that meetings are held to discuss things prior to the Committee/Board Meetings along with many conversations being held long before the meetings. Chad Harry also expressed how meetings are held to discuss these issues before the meeting. Ronique Watkins said we do not understand the question. The board did not even discuss whether change can be made. The public is under the impression that their voice at the meeting should make a difference. Again Child Welfare, Phlesher Mingo explained to them again, that these issues are discussed with staff and then goes to the board to vote on it. President Kates called meeting back to order because we are not talking about Crocs. The motion passed with unanimous approval.
e. Approval to declare surplus on all portable buildings owned by Bogalusa City Schools. It was motioned by Dr. Williams. A second was made by Mr. Creel. The motion passed with unanimous approval.
f. Approval of Carr, Riggs & Ingram audit engagement letter 3-year contract. It was motioned by Dr. Williams. A second was made by Mr. Kemp. The motion passed with unanimous approval.
g. Adoption of millage rates for 2022. It was motioned by Mr. Kemp. A second was made by Mrs. Duke. Darryl Smith said the public needs to look at this millage and know how it is being used.
Roll Call Vote:
VP Curtis Creel – Yes
Mr. Killingswoth – Absent
Dr. Williams – Yes
Mrs. Breaux – Yes
Mrs. Duke – Yes
Mr. Kemp – Yes
President Kates - Yes
h. Approval of Special Council Resolution to employ Hammonds, Sills, Adkins, Guice, Noah & Perkins as Bogalusa City Schools Special Council. It was motioned by Mr. Creel. A second was made by Mr. Kemp. Mrs. Breaux would like for us to research others who can do the same as Hammonds. She believes they are racists and are not fair in her experience and she really does not want to use them in the future. Mrs. Watterson wanted to know what they do for the school board. Drake McElven asked what do they do and how much do we pay. Mrs. Walker explained it is based on how much we call upon them. There is a statute they must follow Board explained that they are the School System’s Attorney. Roniqua Watkins asked if there was an allocation or line item for them? Darryl Smith believes it is a very effective way to use our money. The motion passed with unanimous approval
Roll Call Vote:
VP Curtis Creel – Yes
Mr. Killingswoth – Absent
Dr. Williams – Yes
Mrs. Breaux – No
Mrs. Duke – Yes
Mr. Kemp – Yes
President Kates – Yes
5. Superintendent Comments – Thank you all for coming. We cannot stop anyone from using our facilities. We are a public facility, but I will make sure all proper paperwork and fees are applied. We are working on covering the track so that the entire stadium can be used. Five interventionists have been hired for all schools. Training is going on now. We are in need of these SEL’s to help the Disciplinarians. Para’s are interventionists. Scores are in and they will be posted on the website. We are working to get all the right people in all the right places. We are doing good things, but we need to work together for the children and community. I will have scores and strategic plans at August Board Meeting.
6. Board Member Comments – Curtis Creel what are interventionist. They are Social Workers being trained on identifying environmental and community needs. Dr. Williams said he wanted everyone to understand it is okay to agree to disagree amongst the board members
7. President Kates asked for any further comments, there were none. Meeting adjourned
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Lisa Tanner, Superintendent Paul Kates, President